SISTER Frances Dominica has called for people in Oxford to rally behind homeless support charities as they face a funding crisis.

More than 150 hostel beds are set to be axed next year due to funding cuts, but the nun warned they were needed ‘more than ever’.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, the founder of Helen and Douglas House hospices said: “The evidence is in front of all our eyes, day by day: I have been shocked by the number of rough sleepers in Oxford recently.

“Walking through the city centre, it now seems like there is someone sleeping in every third doorway.

“The reality is accommodation is harder to come by than ever before.

“That is awful. But charities out there can help – they just need our support.”

Sister Frances was speaking as she highlighted the work of Cowley-based charity The Porch, which offers daytime support and training to vulnerable adults.

Many people who come to its centre in Magdalen Road are Armed Forces veterans and trustee Sister Frances said its work was ‘vital’ to help them in hard times.

It will mark its 30th anniversary on Tuesday but is among several groups bracing for another cash squeeze in the spring.

The charity receives about £55,000 from Oxford City Council – roughly a quarter of its running costs – but director Jon Fitzpatrick said growing competition for funding among cash-strapped organisations could see this fall.

This is despite expectations demand is set to grow.

Mr Fitzpatrick added: “We are one of the only organisations left that does not require people to have a local connection. We open our doors to everyone as long as they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“Our clients are vulnerable people but we help them achieve their goals.”

He said services supporting homeless people in Oxford needed to be more ‘joined-up’, suggesting those who wanted to help should contact volunteers at The Porch or other charities before starting new initiatives.

He added: “We have always worked as part of the established network but there are groups popping up who are not coordinating with others. That can lead to duplication, or reports on the numbers of homeless people using services not reflecting the reality on the ground.

“I would urge people who want to help to come to us.”

It comes ahead of a £1.5m cut to homeless support by Oxfordshire County Council. From April it will reduce funding by £500,000 a year.

A ‘rescue deal’ has been agreed by the authority and the five district councils, but this will still see the number of beds fall from 285 to 131. Simon House hostel and the Julian Housing service will close as a result.